Firearms



. FIRBARHS A Filed Oct. 14. -1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l i 'if'. i9 58 2 5 i9 Zi 54 55 56 j v 55 22 A A55v 55% 5 FTM `Patented Mayg19, 1931` CHARLES V11|. ROSS, 0F WASHINGTON', DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FIREAABMS Application filed October 14, 1930. Serial No. 488,650.

This invention relates to firearms and particularly to breech mechanisms including extractors. V

The present application is a substitute for,

and in part a continuation of, my allowed appsliQcgttion Serial No. 358,544, iiled April 27, The invention is intended for'use in firearms, generally, but will be Adescribed as developed for use in a semi-automatic shoulder rifle, i. e., one which fires a shot and reloads automatically each time the trigger is pulled. The invention is suitable for use in machine guns and hand actuated repeating rifles, and

in firearms enerally Iwherever` there. can be used an action slide which will carry the necessary cams.

In the particular embodiment to be described the breech block moves transversely to the bore and this arrangement is preferred, but may be departed from within the broad -scope of the invention. The parts, including the breech block, function by means of an action slide driven by any suitable means, such as a as piston. The action slide is formed witi cams which actuate the breech block and other cams which actuate .a star wheel, the latter in two steps of rotary motion. The lirst and larger step occurs in the rearward excursion ofthe slide immediately after the cartridge is fired; the second occurs near the conclusion of the return motion.

, The invention may be used with either rimmed or cannelured cartridges, but because the cannelured cartridge presents the more diiiicult problem, an embodiment for handling this type of cartridge is chosen for illustration.

Hence,.referring to an extractor for can# nelured cartridges, there is an extractor lever, which at its lower end has a lug confined in a slot so arranged that the nose of vthe extractor may move in a four-sided path, first radially outward to engage the cartridge case, then a swinging motion to the rear to extract, then radially inward to release the case, and then a swinging motion forward to the initial position. This extractor is actuated by two sets of cams turned vby the star wheel an goes through its first three motions during the first motion step of the star wheel and its fourth motion during the second motion step of the star wheel. For rimmed cartridges the radial motions of the extractor may be dispensed withi.

This extractor frees, the case from the chamber and may or 'may not be suiiicient to throw` the case clear. Other means are normally 'provided to carry the 4case rearward and eject it at the end of such motion. These take the form of a rammer having a lostmotion connection with the action slide, and a spring connection therewith so arranged that the action slide urges the rammer yieldingly to the rear, but on its return or forward motion actuates the rammer positively. The rammer has a latch which engages the cartridge case. When the action slidey starts back it stresses the rammer spring until the extractor functions to free the cartridge. When the cartridge case is freed, the rammer, then spring-impelled, jerks it to the rear. The spring urged rearward motion ends with an impact which throws'the cartridge case clear andthus ejects it. p ,k

Thus the invention is characterized by a short travel extractor operated independently of but in timed relation with the'breech block, in conjunction with spring-actuated long travel means for further withdrawing and ejecting the case. means serves also as a positively actuated rammer, which acts, on the return motion of the action slide, to feed and chamber the next cartridge. This arrangement, in conjunction with a transversely moving breech This spring-actuated block produces an unusually compact and rugged mechanism of few parts. In' the example illustrated the breech block is positively actuated in one direction and is closed by a spring. Other arrangements are possible within the scope of the invention. Certain features of the invention may be used with otherknown types of breech block. In the broadest aspects of the inventive concept any breech block capable of actuation by a longitudinally moving action' slide may be availed of. l

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying draw ings, in which Fig. 1 is a section on the vertical plane through the axis of the barrel, showing a portion of the chamber, the breech block, extractor, rammer, the portion ofthe action slide and cam mechanism in loaded position ready to fire.

Fig. 2 shows the same partsafter firing, the action slide having started back far enough to open the breech and the extractor having moved radially upward and started to swing to the rear.

Fig. .3 shows a later phase, the extractor having moved radially downward and the rammer having, under spring impulsion, jerked the case to the rear.A

Fig. 4 shows the position of the parts when the action slide has moved still further to the rear.

Fig. 5 'shows the position of the parts when the actionslider has nearly reached its forward position and the star wheel actuated cam is about to free the extractor so that the rammer may return the extractor to its initial position.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the star wheel and connected cams in the position of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a view partly in vertical section through the axis of the bore, showing how the rammer is connected with the action slide.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showin the connection of the rammer with the action slide, and (in dotted lines) the relation of the star wheel and its cams to the above named parts.

Fig. 9 is a vertical axial section through the breech block.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the breech block.

Fig. 11 is an elevation of the right hand side of the breech block partly broken away.

Fig. 12 is a perspectiveview looking at the rammer from the left and rear.

Fig. 13 is -a perspective View looking at the rammer from the right and rear.

Fig. 14 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but showing the full length of the action cams and the position of the breech block actuatlng spring.

'Ihe action slide is bifurcated or forked, as viewed in plan (see Fig. 8) and is indicated generally by the numera 16. Each of the two tine portions is formed with a cam 'I surface 17, the two cam surfaces being identical with each other. Each coacts with a corresponding beveled face 18 atthe lower" 42 formed on the front face o is returned by any suitable means. In the *I i 410) and in a recess (see Fig. 14) formed in the breech end of the barrel.

The chamber appears at 22. Mounted on the left hand face of the left hand bifurcated portion of action slide 16 are two cam elements 23, 24, which coact with round lugs 25 on a star wheel member 26. The star wheel 26 is formed integrally with a rotary member4 having journals 27, 28, which turn in suitable bearings, illustrated in the drawings. Between the journals 27, 28, the rotary member is provided with two sets of cams. -The number of cams in the two sets are the same and conform to the number of arms on the star wheel. A three armed star wheel is preferred. These cams are shown at 29 and 31 and conjointly actuate the extractor.

The extractor consists of a lever member 32 having a nose 33 at its upper end which is adapted to enter the cannelure 34 at the rear of the cartridge case 35. The extractor 32 has a tongue 36 at its other (lower) end which is confined in a slot 37 in a plate '38 which underlies the action slide. The extractor lever 32 is provided at a short distance below its upper end with a transverse lug 39 which serves a dual purpose. Its forward end serves as an abutment or shoulder against which the cams 29 act to ,raise the lever 32, that is, to move it upward so that it engages the cannelure 34. It also serves as a stop engaging the forward face of the breech block 19 to prevent the extractor lever 32 from swinging to the rear until the breech block 19 has risen to its upper or open position. In such position a notch 41 formed in the forward face of the breech block offers clearance for the member 39 and permits the extractor lever 32 to move to the rear. This rearward motion is produced by one of the three cams 31 en aging a boss the lever 32 for this purpose.

Formed in the right hand portion of the bifurcated action slide 16 is a lslot 43, and guided in this slot is a slider 44 whose length is less than the length of the slot 43 so as to permit limited lost motion between slider 44' and the action slide 16. A compression spring 45 is mounted on a guide rod 46 and is confined between a spring seat 47 on the ac tion slide v16 and a sprin seat 48 on the slider 44. The slider 44 1s connected by member 49 with a rammer 51 which is provided with a resilient latch nose 52 also intended to engage the cannelure 34 in the cartridge. It will be observed that the nose 33 of the extractor engages the cannelure at the lower side of the case and thatl the latch 52 engages the cannelure at the right side of lao the case, so that interference does not occur.

The latch nose is received in a cut 53 formed in the breech block for that purpose, and the rammer has an upward extending lug 54 which is received in a cut 55 in the breech block. It will be observed that the breech block descends after the rammer has chambered the cartridge and rises before the rammer moves to the rear. Consequently the recesses 53 and 55 are formed only in the forward, face of the breech block and do not extend through this from front to back.

The firing pin is shown at 56. It is urged to the rear by a spring 57 and is retained by a pin 58 which works in a slot 59 of such length as to permit the necessary motion of the ring pin.

The form of the parts will be clear from an examination of Figs. 9 and 14 of the drawings.

The operation of the mechanism is as. follows: p

Assume that a cartridge is in the cha'mber and the breech block is in its lower position (Fig. 1). The firing pin is driven forward, by any suitable means, such as a hammer,

. (not shown) which strikes the rear end of the firing pin. In an automatic arm the firing of the cartridge would itself cause the action slide to move to the rear. Any known mechanism might be used, but I contemplate the use of a gas cylinder and piston, the cylinder being connected to the bore of the barrel near the muzzle, so that just as the bullet left the bore gas pressure would be admitted to the cylinder, andacting upon the piston, would force the piston and connected slide to the rear. This is a familiar expedient in vautomatic firearms', and its illustration is deemed to be unnecessary, particularly as any equivalent mechanism might be substituted withinl the scope'of the present invention.

As the action slide moves to the rear the cams 17 engage the surfaces 18 and force the breech block 19 upward. Before the breech block 19 rises far enough to open the rear of the chamber and permit extraction, one of the lugs 25 on the star wheel will be struck by the rear end of the cam 23. This will rotate'the star wheel, causing cam 29 to raise the extractor lever 32, and move it radially upward until its nose 33 engages in the cannelure 34. The continued rotation of the star wheel will then cause one of the cams -31 to engage the surface 42 and swing the extractor lever 32 to the rear (see Fig. 3). Lug 39 thus enters notch 41. At about the time the rearward motion of lever 32 is completed, the cam 29 clears the lug 39 on the extractor, allowing this to move downward. This downward motidn isassisted by a slight downward motion vof' the breech block 19, provided for in the form of the cam 17.

It will be observed that the rearward motion of the action slide stresses the spring 45 will remain at re-st in engagement with the cartridge case. As soon as the cartridge case -has been freed by the extractor 32 the spring 45 will force the rammel' to the rear, carry-- ing the cartridge case`35 with it. This rearward motion carries the case clear of the han rel. Motion is suddenly arrested when inember 44 collides with the end of slot 43. Since lug 54 engages only the lower portion of the rear end of ca-se 35 l(see Fig. 5) the case tumbles upward and is thrown clear.

The rotation of the star wheel mechanism ceases when two of the lugs 25 engage-the straight top surface of the cam 23 (see Figs. 3 and 4). In the position of Fig. 4 the breech block 19 has been lowered far enough to carry the extractor 32.to its lowermost position. The action slide is returned to its forward position by any means such as a spring (not shown).

In-its forward motion the sliderl 44 is at y the rear end of the slot 43 and consequently moves forward with the action slide. The ramlner picks up a cartridge from the magazine (not shown) in the usual manner, and carries the cartridge forward with it, inserting it in the chamber .22 when the slide approaches its forward. position (see Fig. 5). The lower rear lug 25 on theI star wheel 26 will be struck by the cam 24and rotated to the position of Fig. 1. This motioncarries the tip of the cam 31 above the upper limit of the boss 42 so that the ramrner 51, upon stri-king the upper end of the eX- tractor lever 32, will swing this forward.

This forward motion cau-ses the lug 39 to clear the slot 41 and allows the breech block 19 theretofore held open by the lug 39,. to drop to its closed position under the urge of the spring 20. This completes the cycle of motion.

It will be observed that the star wheel is formed with three arms and is turned onethird of a revolution for each shot. Thus the threeV pairs of cams 29, 31, function successively, each pair of cams functioning for one shot in three.

As previously suggested, the invention is not limited to the specificembodiment illustrated but mayjbe variously modified to accord with the specific construction of the firearm withwhich it is used. While I sugpeculiar utility because it combines with al sliding breech block a reciprocating rammer,

which not only feeds and chambers the cartridge but also withdraws and ejects the fired cartridge after the initial extraction has been performed by the four motion lever extractor. This construction has a peculiar advantage in small arms, particularly shoulder rifies, because the action can be made much shorter than it is possible to make a bolt action, commonly used in automatic small arms. It will be observed that the extractor is smooth and positive in its action'.

The use of a bifucated transversely sliding breech block in conjunction with a raminer mechanism is peculiarly desirable because the breech block rises clear of the rammeiinechanismbefore the extractor functions to permit the rammer to withdraw the cartridge. Furthermore, there is a very useful interrelation between the extractor, the raminer and the breech blockthe extractor acting to hold the breech block open until the rammer has chambered the cartridge, and in so doing, has shifted the extractor. `XVhile similar interrelations might be secured with other types of breech block, the transversely sliding breech block offers peculiarly favorable operative characteristics.

What is claimed is 1. An extractor mechanism comprising a lever having an extracting nose for engaging a cartridge case; a guide for said lever about which the lever pivots and relatively to which it is free to move radially; and a cam mechanism operable to shift said extractor radially to cause the nose to engage a cartridge, then swing it in an extracting direction, then withdraw it radially from engagement with the cartridge and then free the extractor to permit it to return to its initial position.

2. An extractor mechanism comprising a lever having an extractin nose for engaging a cartridge case; a guide or said lever about which the lever pivots and relatively to which it is free to move radially; and two cam mechanisms, one acting on said extractor lever to control its radial movement, and the other -acting on the extractor lever to swing it in an extracting direction and then release it..

3. An extractor mechanism comprising a lever having an extracting nose for engagingl a cartridge case; a guide for said lever about which the lever pivots and relatively to which it is free to move radially; and two sets of alternately acting cams mounted to rotate together, one functioning to cause it to engage and later disengage the cartridge case, and the other functioning intermediate the two movements just named and serving to swing the extractor in an extracting direction.

4. An. extractor mechanism for firearms. comprising in combination, a reciprocable member formed with a plurality of cams; a breech block operable by certain of said cams; an extractor capable of-motion tothe rear and return; a star wheel mechanism operable y by cams on said reciprocable member stepby-step, each step in two stages which occur in relatively reverse movements of the reciprocable member; and cams rotated by said star wheel mechanism and arranged to force said extractor to the rear in the first stage of star wheel motion and release it in the second stage.

5. An extractor mechanism for firearms, comprising in combination, a reciprocable member formed with a pluralityof cams; a breech block operable by certain of said cams; an extractor capable of motion to the rear and return; a star wheel mechanism voperable by cams on said reciprocable member step-by-Jstep, each step in two stages which occur in relatively reverse movements of the reciprocable member; cams rotated by said star wheel mechanism and arranged to force said extractor to the rear in the first stage of star wheel motion and release it in the second stage; interlocking means between the breech block and extractor which obstruct the closing movement of thebreech block while the extractor is in its rearward'position; means actuated by said reciprocable member for chambering a cartridge; and means actuated during the finai movement of said chambering means and serving to return the extractor to its forward position.

6. An extractor mechanism' for firearms, comprising in combination, a reciprocable member formed with a plurality of cams; a breech block operable by certain of said cams; an extractor guided to move in a multisided path to engage, extract and clear a cartridge case, and then return to its initial position; a star wheel operable by cams on said reciprocable member step-by-step, each step' in two stages, the first and second stages occurring in relatively reverse movements of said reciprocable member; and cams rotated by said star wheel and engaging said extractor to move the extractor to engage the case, then to the rear to extract the same and then away from the case in the first stage of star wheel motion, and in the second stage v to free the extractor and permit its return to vthe initial position. v

7. An extractor mechanism for firearms, comprising in combination, a reciprocable member formed with a plurality of cams;

breech block operable by certain 'of said4 cams; an extractor guided to move in a four sided path to engage, extract and clear a ca.rtridge"case,and then return to its initial position; a starwheel operable by cams on said reciprocable member step-by-step, each. step in twostag'es, the first and second stages.

occurring in relatively reverse movements of said reciprocable member;'cams rotated by said star wheel and engaging said extractor, to move the extractor to engage the case, then to the rear to extract the same, and then away from the case in the first stage of star wheel motion, and in the second stage to free i the extractor and permit its return to the initial position; interlocking means between thev breech block and extractor which obstruct the closing movement of the breech block while the extract-or is in its rearward position; means actuated by said reciprocable member for chambering a cartridge, andl means actuated during the tinal movement of said chambering means and serving to -return the extractor to its forward position.

8. An extractor mechanism for firearms, comprising in combination, a reciprocable member formed with a plurality of cams; a breech block operable by certain of 'said cams; a cartridge-case engaging member' movable by said reciprocable member posi-v tively in a cartridge chambering direction and yieldingly in the reverse, cartridge-case ejecting direction; an extractor guided for motion in-a multi-sided path to engage, extract and then clear a chambered cartridge; a star wlieel operable bycams in said reciprocable member step-by-step, each step in two stages, the first and second stages occurring in relatively reverse movements of said reciprocable member; and cams rotated by said star wheel and engaging said extractor to move the extractor to eng-age the cartridge case, then to the rear to extract the same, and then away from the case, in the iirst stage of star wheel motion, and in the second stage of star wheel movement to free the extractor andpermit its return to initial position.

9. An extractor mechanism for rearms, comprising in combination, a reciprocable member `formed with a plurality of cams; a

breech block operable by. certain of said cams a cartridge-case engaging member movable by said reciprocable member positively in a cartridge chambering direction. and yieldingly in the reverse, cartridge-case ejecting direction; an extractor guided for motion in a multi-sided pathto engage, extract, and then clear a ch'ambered cartridge; a star wheel operable bycams on said reciprocable member step-by-ste each step in two stages, the iirst and secon stages occurring in relatively reverse movements of said reciprocable member; cams rotated by said star wheel and engaging said extractor to move the extractor to engage the cartridge case, then to the rear to extract the same, and then away from the case, in the first stage of star wheel motion, and inthe second stage of star wheel movement to free the extractor and permit its return to initial position; means on the extractor to latch the breech block against closing until the extractor returnsto its initial position; and means operatingiin time with the cartridge-case engaging member to force the extractor to initial position upon the chambering'of a cartridge. A 10. A breech mechanism for firearms, comprising in combination, a barrel; a breech block mounted to slide transversely to said barrel; a reciprocable action slide formed with a plurality of cams, certain of which engage and actuate said breech block in an opening direction; a spring urging said block in a closing direction; an extractor capable of motion to the rear and return; a star wheel mechanism operable by cams on said action slide step by step, each step in two stages which occur in relatively reverse movements of the action slide; cam means rotated by said star wheel mechanism and arranged to force said extractor to the rear in vthe first stage of star wheel motion and release it in the, second stage; interlocking means between the breech block and the extractor whichobstruct the closing movement of the breech vblock while the extractor is in its rearward position; a cartridge feeding rammer having a 10st motion connection wlth said action slide, said rammer being arranged to engage the extractor on the final forward motion of the rammer and return the extractor to its forward position.

11. A breech mechanism for firearms, comprising in combination, a barrel; a breech block mounted to slide transversely to the barrel; a reciprocable action slide formed with a plurality of cams, certain of which engagesaid breech block and actuate the same in an opening direction; spring means urging said breech block ina closing direction; an extractor yguided to move in a multi-sided path to engage, extract, and clear a cartridge case and then return to its initial position; a star wheel operable by cams on said reciprocable action slide step by step, each step in two stages, the rst and second stages in relatively reverse movements of said action slide; and cams rotated by said sta-r wheel and engaging said extractor to move the extractor to engage the case, then to the rear to extract the same, and then away from the' case in the iirst stage of star wheel motion and in the second stage to free the extractor.

12. A breech mechanism for firearms, comprising in combination, a barrel; a breech block mounted to'slide transversely to the barrel; a reciprocable action slide formed with a plurality of cams,.certain of which engage said breechblock and actuate the same in an o ening direction; spring means urging sai breech block in a closing direction; an extractor guided to move in a multi-sided path to engage, extract, and clear a cartridge case and then return to its initial position; a

between the breech block and the extractor into engagement with said extractor to shift l the extractor to its forward position and free the breech block.

13. A breech mechanism for rearms, comprisingin combination, abarrel a breech block mounted to'slide transverselyvto the barrel; a reciprocable action slide formed with a plurality of cams, certain of' which engage said breech block and actuate the same in an opening direction; spring means urging said breech block in a closing direction; an extractor guided to move in a multi-sided path to engage, extract, and clear a cartridge case and then return to its initial position; a star wheel operable by cams on said reciprocable action slide step by step, each step in two stages, the irst and second stage in relatively reverse movements of said action slide; cams rotated by said star wheel and engaging said extractor to move the extractor to engage the case, then tothe rear to extract the same. and then away from the case in the irst stage of star wheel motion and in the second stage to free the extractor; interengaging means between the breech block and the extractor serving to obstruct the closing movement of the breech block while the extractor is in its rearward position and prevent rearward motion of the extractor until the breech block has reached its open position; means actuated by said action slide for chambering a cartridge; and means actuated during the iinal movement of said chambering means and serving to return the extractor to its forward position. L

14. A breech mechanism for firearms, comprising in combination, a barrel; a breech block mounted to move transverselyto the barrel; a reciprocable action slide formed with a plurality of cams, certain of which engagesaid breech block and actuate it in an opening direction; a spring urging said breech block in a closing direction; a rammer having a lost motion driving connection with said action slide; a spring interposed between said action slide and the rammer urging said rammer rearward relatively to said .slide whereby the rammeris actuated yieldingly in its rearward motion and positivelyv in its'l forward mot 1o11;'a hook mounted on said ram-A 'f mer 'for engaging' the -`cannelure or rim of'a cartridge case a g' mounted on said rammer and adapted to engage' and force a cartridge into the chamberof the barrel; an extractor guided to move to the rear and return; a star wheel mechanism operated by cams on saidv 'action slide, step by step, each step in two stages which .occur in relatively reverse movements of the action slide; means lrotated by said star wheel mechanism and arranged to force said extractor to the rear in the first stage of star wheel motion and release it in the second stage; means on the extractor to latch4 the b'reech block against closing until the extractor returns to its initial position; and means associated with the rammer adapted to restore the extractor to such initial position as the rammer completes the chambering of a cartridge.

415. A breech mechanism for firearms, comnrisingin combination, a barrel; a breech block mounted to move transversely to the barrel; a reciprocable action slide formed with a lplurality of cams, certain ofwhich engage said breech block and actuate it in an opening direction: a spring urging sai breech block in a closing direction; a rammer having a lost motion driving connection with said action slide; a spring interposed between said action slide and the rammer urging said rammer rearward rela-tivelyy to said slide whereby the rammer `is actuated yieldingly I in its rearward Amotion andl positively 1n 1 ts forward motion: a hook mounted on sald rammer for engaging the cannelure or run of a cartridge case: a lug mounted on said ram. mer and adapted to engage and force a cartridge into the chamberof the barrel: an extractor guided for motion in a multisided nath to engage, extract and then clear the chambered cartridge: a star wheel operable bv cams on said reciprocable member stepby step, each step in two stages. the first and second stages occurring in relatively reverse movements of q said reciprocable member; cams rotated by said star wheel and engaging said extra ctor to move the extractor to engage the cartridge case.then to the rear to extract the same. and then away from the case in the iirst stage of star wheel motion, and in the second stage of star wheel motion to free the extractorz'means on the extractor to latch the breech block against closing until the extractor returns to its initial position; and means associated with the rammer adapted to restore the extractor to such initial position as the rammer completes the chambering'of acartridge.

16. The com' ination of claim 14, further characterized in thatthe lug on the rammer engages the cartridgeV case near the margin l lengages the-cartridge case near the margin thereof-only.l l

18. The combination of claim 14, further characterized in thatI the breech block is formed with recesseson its forward face which extend part way through the block and receive the lug and the cartridge engaging hook on the rammel'.

19. The combination of claim 15, further characterized in that the cams on the action lslide which actuate the breech block permit this to move in a closing direction a short distance from its maximum open position as the action slide reaches its limit of motion and While the breech block andiextractor are intcrlocked whereby the breech block urges the extractor in a direction to free the car tridge case. Y

20. In a breech mechanism for firearms, the combination of a barrel; a. breech block mounted to slide transverselyv to the barrel; a rcciprocable action slide formed with a plurality of cams, certain of which actnate said breech block in an opening direction; a spring urging said breech block in a closing direction; ay rammer movable by said reciprocable member positively in a cartridge-chambcring direction and yieldingly in the reverse cartridge-ejecting direct-ion; an extractor mounted to move toward and from the rear; means actuated by the action slide for forcing said extractor positively to the rear in the initial excursion of the action slide, and tofrelease said extractor upon the return lexcursion of the action slide; means on the extractor to latch the breech block against closing while the extractor is in its rearward position; and means operated by the comple-- tion of the forward motion of the rammer for moving the extractor forward'to unlatch the breech block.

21. The combination of claim 20, further characterized in that said rammer is provided with a hook adapted to engage the rim or `cannelure of a cartridge.

22. The combination of claim 20, further characterized in that the rammer is provided with a hook for engaging the rim or cannelure of a cartridge and with a lug for engag ing the rear end of the cartridge case near one margin thereof.

23. The combination of claim 20, further characterized in that the rammel is provided with a hook for engaging the riln or cannelure of a cartridge case and with a lug for engaging the rear end of a cartridge case adjacent one margin thereof, and that the breech block is formed on its forward face with recesses which receive said hook and lug.

24.. The combination of claim 20, further characterized in that the means which actuates the extractor comprises two sets of cams which urge the extractor first toward the cartridge to engage the same, then to the rear to extract the same, and then free the ext-ractor to permit it to move away from the cartridge, and then to its initial position.

25. In a' breech mechanismtor firearms, the combination of a barrel; a breech block mounted to slide transversely to the barrel; an extractor; a reciprocable action slide formed with a plurality of cam means, certain of which actuate said breech block in an opening direction, and others of which actuate said extractor in an extracting direction, the breech block and the extractor being actuated in timed relation; a spring urging said breech block in a closing direction; interlocking means between the breech block and extractor preventing the actuating of the'extractor until the breech block is open, and preventing the closing motion of the breech block until the extractor is restored to its normal position; and means actuated by the 'action slide at the termination of its active excursion and serving to restore said extractor to its normal position.

26. "Ihe combination of claim 25 in which the means which restores the extractor valso serves to chamber a cartridge.

' 27. The combination of claim 25 in which CHARLES L. Ross. 

